Elon Musk, the billionaire head of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), gave his strongest endorsement yet for Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Addressing a cheering crowd, Musk declared that “nothing is more important” than voting for Trump in the upcoming 2024 election.
Musk’s Full-Throated Support for Trump
Musk, who first endorsed Trump following the assassination attempt on the former president 12 weeks ago, took the stage to a standing ovation. In his speech, Musk emphasized the stakes of the election, claiming that a Trump win is necessary to “preserve the Constitution” and “democracy in America.” He even went as far as to say that a Democratic victory could mark the “last election” in the United States.
“President Trump must win to preserve the Constitution. He must win to preserve democracy in America,” Musk told the crowd. His endorsement, once a social media post after the July assassination attempt, has now evolved into direct and vocal support at Trump’s rallies.
A Symbol of Resilience
Musk drew a sharp contrast between Trump and President Joe Biden, referencing the assassination attempt. “The true test of someone’s character is how they behave under fire,” Musk said, comparing Biden’s physical struggles to Trump’s defiant act of raising his fist after being shot. “We had one president who couldn’t climb a flight of stairs and another who was fist-pumping after getting shot,” Musk remarked, to loud applause.
Musk’s Growing Role in Trump’s 2024 Campaign
The rally was not Musk’s first display of support for Trump in the 2024 campaign. Earlier this year, Musk committed to donating $45 million per month to a super PAC supporting Trump, though that pledge has since been reduced. Nevertheless, Musk continues to provide financial and vocal backing through America PAC, which has been critical in driving Trump’s ground game in battleground states like Pennsylvania.
In August, Musk interviewed Trump during an event on his platform, X, despite technical difficulties. The interview, which received wide media attention, further solidified Musk’s role in Trump’s reelection effort. Trump even hinted at giving Musk a government position if he were to win in 2024, calling it a role that would give Musk significant influence.
Rally with a Somber Tone
While Musk’s appearance on stage energized the crowd, the overall tone of the rally was somber, reflecting the traumatic events of the assassination attempt that occurred during Trump’s last visit to Butler. Security concerns were heightened for this event, and attendees were reminded of the seriousness of Trump’s recent brushes with danger.
Musk’s appearance at the rally and his rallying cry of “Vote, vote, vote. Fight, fight, fight,” energized Trump’s base, offering a boost in morale as the former president faces a tight race against Vice President Kamala Harris in several battleground states.
Musk’s Influence Grows
Throughout the 2024 election cycle, Musk has been vocal in his support of Trump while also criticizing the Democrats and Kamala Harris. His now-deleted posts, including one where he suggested that “no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala,” have garnered both support and controversy. Yet, his influence on the campaign trail remains significant, with many viewing his endorsement as pivotal in keeping Trump competitive in key states.
Musk’s speech in Butler served as a reminder that he is not just a financial backer but also a key figure in Trump’s 2024 strategy, using his massive platform to galvanize support for the former president.
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